Sean "Diddy" Combs was sentenced to four years and two months in prison, NOVA reported.
The music mogul was found guilty on two counts of trafficking women for the purpose of prostitution. Judge Arun Subramanian handed down the sentence. He said the sentence was fair, considering the gravity of Combs' crimes and mitigating circumstances.
In July, a jury acquitted Combs, 55, of the more serious charges of racketeering and human trafficking, for which he could have received life in prison.
The judge in the case said Combs had risen in his community after building himself is single, and that he has deep ties to his family. But he rejected the defense's claims that his relationships with Cassie and Jane were intimate and consensual.
“You abused them physically, emotionally and psychologically“, Subramanian said.
He added that both women suffered trauma that will last a lifetime.
We recall that the prosecution asked for him to serve at least 11 years in prison, and his lawyers - 14 months. According to the defense of the producer and performer, the requested sentence is “extremely disproportionate“ to the crime.
For about 14 months, Sean Combs has been imprisoned in the “Metropolitan“ detention center in Brooklyn, New York. His lawyers have failed in their attempts to release him on bail, despite claims that the conditions inside are “horrible“.
The center is known for its former and current inmates.
Combs reportedly shared a room with cryptocurrency entrepreneur Sam Bankman-Freed, who once ran a multi-billion dollar company and was convicted of multiple fraud charges.
The center previously housed rapper R. Kelly and Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
A crowd of people gathered outside the courtroom - journalists, influencers and many others.
Sean Combs addressed the judge. He began by thanking him for giving him a chance to speak. The producer apologized to “all victims of domestic violence“.
“I want to apologize again personally to Cassie Ventura“, he says.
He also apologized to Jane Doe, who testified in the trial under a pseudonym.
“I didn't mean to hurt you“, he said.
Combs apologized to his seven children and his mother Janice.
“My actions were disgusting, shameful”, he added, emphasizing that he takes responsibility for his actions.
“I got lost in my ego“, the judge's rapper Arun Subramanian also said.
He begged the judge for mercy and pointed out that he was not blaming anyone other than myself.
“I know I learned my lesson.“
All of Combs' adult children addressed the court. Through tears, they pleaded with the judge to bring my father home.
Quincy Brown, 34, Combs' adopted son: “You and I are seeing a changed man. He has evolved, something we haven't seen in 15 years.“
Justin Combs, 31, firstborn son: “I'm asking you to give my father a second chance.“
Christian Combs, 27, son of the late model Kim Porter: “He taught me to treat women with respect. He treated my mother like queen.“
Chance Combs, 19: “We all felt a huge void in our lives.“
Jesse Combs, 18, Porter's daughter: “Your honor, he's still our father.“
Delilah Combs, 18, Porter's daughter: “We can't watch our little sister grow up without a father the same way we grew up without a mother... Please, please give our family a chance to heal.“
One of the defense attorneys, Nicole Westmoreland, visibly moved as she spoke to the judge about Combs' contributions to society.
“Mr. Combs has personally inspired me,“ she said.
“Combs is made some mistakes, but how many of us can say we've helped so many lives," she said, referring to Combs' record label and clothing line, which she said has inspired other black entrepreneurs and musicians. Combs, she said, is remorseful.
"Sean Combs is not a pimp," said Jason Driscoll, who also represents the rapper.
Prosecutor Kristi Slavik said Combs has already scheduled public appearances for next week. She called it "the height of arrogance" given today's sentencing.
A lighter sentence would "allow the defendant to get away with years of domestic violence and abuse," Slavik said.
On Thursday, Sean "Diddy" Combs wrote a letter to the judge overseeing his criminal trial, asking for leniency during his sentencing and blaming his past behavior on drug addiction.
In the four-page letter, he apologized "for all the pain and hurt I have caused" and said he had made amends after spending 13 months in a Brooklyn jail.
In his letter to Judge Arun Subramanian, Combs apologized for the attack on his ex-girlfriend, singer Cassie Ventura, writing: "I literally lost my mind."
"I am sorry for this and I always will be. Domestic violence will always be a heavy burden that I will have to carry forever," the music mogul wrote.
He also apologized to an anonymous woman who testified during the trial under the name "Jane."
"I lost my way. My downfall was rooted in my selfishness. I was humbled and broken to the core," Diddy wrote.
In late September, family, friends, former employees and business partners of Sean “Diddy“ Combs sent more than 70 letters to the federal judge asking for leniency before his sentencing next week.
Some of Combs' victims also submitted letters to the court that will be considered in determining his sentence.
Ventura said:
“I am so afraid that if he is released, his first act will be to quickly retaliate against me and others who have spoken out.“
The letter is Ventura's first public appearance since testifying in the trial, which she said caused her “tremendous emotional pain”.
She reiterated her allegations that Combs physically and sexually abused her, forcing her to participate in lengthy drugged sex parties.
She said, that the jury "failed to see" all the "truths at hand" and that she hopes the judge will take her fear and suffering into account when sentencing.
“If there's one thing I've learned from this experience, it's that victims and survivors will never be safe. While I can hope for justice and accountability, I've come to trust no one," Ventura wrote.
One of the mysteries of Diddy's trial was what happened to "Victim 3" in the indictment. Prosecutors said she had disappeared and would no longer be called to testify. During the trial, she was referred to as Gina - she is Virginia Hewen.
She also sent a letter to the judge, stating that she cooperated fully with prosecutors and during these meetings she felt “pressured to feel like a victim“. She added that she herself did not perceive herself that way.
“I was not a victim of trafficking. I did not engage in prostitution with him or anyone else. This would be my testimony if I was called to testify,“ Gina wrote.
She also told the judge that she was fully prepared to testify, but her lawyer informed her that she would not be called. Gina also claims that Didi never contacted her during the entire trial.